Shane Watson followed up his good batting performance on day one with a couple of wickets as Australia built a big lead over Northamptonshire on day two of their tour match in Northampton.

Watson had already made 84 before captain Michael Hussey retired having made 75 in Australia's innings, which included a slight collapse in the middle order with Marcus North (39), Andrew McDonald (30) and Graham Manou (0) all falling in quick succession.

Australia then declared on 308 for eight after Jack Brooks and David Lucas bagged a couple of wickets apiece.

Northamptonshire were then rocked by a double blow from Stuart Clark, who dismissed Ben Howgego for nine and Rob White for five and after Peter Siddle had struck to see off Niall O'Brien (30), Watson removed half-centurions Alex Wakely and Riki Wessels.

The pair added 92 before Wakely was caught by Simon Katich for 62 and Wessels was caught by Mitchell Johnson for 50.

Siddle then added the wickets of Mark Nelson (34) and David Willey (19) to finish with figures of three for 53 with Watson returning two for 20 and Clark two for 45 while Johnson, McDonald and Nathan Hauritz all went wicketless.

Australia then asked McDonald to open the batting and he and Phillip Hughes swiftly added a century partnership for the first wicket.

McDonald made 69 in 75 balls and Hughes 65 in 81 deliveries, giving Australia a lead of 221.